The old McDonogh 11, built in the late 1870s, is moving inch by inch. Orleans Shoring is responsible for nudging the 1,528-ton structure to its new resting place safely.

"We're moving it forward about another 100 feet. Then we're going to turn the dollies to direct it to a new position," he said.

The federal government paid $3 million to rebuild the historic structure post-Katrina, but when the state announced plans to develop the 34 acres all around it, some feared it would be demolished and one of the works of noted architect William Freret would be lost. Instead, the state decided to spend more than $1 million to move the school.

"We have dollies, meaning the wheels underneath it will support it. We actually have jacks that continue to push fluid to keep it level as it moves forward so moving very slowly, but each jack compensates for the ground settling and changing," said Goodwin

Crews will pile dirt over S. Derbigny and have already turned off electric transmission wires to allow the structure to make its way to the site of the old Palace Hotel -- a temporary stop for McDonogh 11.

Once pilings are driven and the foundation is ready, the school will make its final move to a location in the loop of the Interstate 10 Canal Street off-ramp. In the meantime, construction is booming.

"It's amazing. They say 2015. This thing may be done by the last part of 2014," said Dwana Terrance with Anita's Grill.

Dwana Terrance with Anita's Grill on Tulane Avenue, which has been around for nearly 55 years, she said the work can't get done fast enough. She is hungry for business to return.

"It has affected our regular customers as far as streets being closed, because they have no way of getting here," said Terrance.

At 9 p.m. Friday, the Interstate 10 off-ramp to Canal Street will be closed at South Derbigny as the school is moved across the street and on its way to its final destination. The state purchased the building from the Orleans Parish school board in June 2011.

Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."